It is a calendar conundrum. Florida's top individuals and teams are set to run at the FHSAA State Finals on Friday, Nov. 17, the latest it's been held since 2012.

 

Two days later is the NXR South Regional, to be contested at the WakeMed Soccer Complex in Cary, N.C.

Usually, the NXR South Regional takes place the last weekend in November and has never been held before Nov. 24.

Belen Jesuit, the state's winningest program looking for its seventh consecutive boys title, and also the fourth-ranked team in the nation, is preparing for success in both events. 

"To stay true to our program and school's traditions our emphasis still remains executing our best effort at the state meet," coach Frankie Ruiz said. "As for specific race strategies we will assess our plans as we get closer. The decision on how to race ultimately will be determined by those racing and I will offer my guidance."

The race day strategy isn't exactly cut and dry. Yes, the Wolverines have a ton of depth, but also boast the best 1-2 punch in the state in senior and University of Florida signee Joshua Ruiz, looking for his first individual championship, as well as freshman Marcelo Mantecon.

 

"Not for a second did I think of choosing one race over another," the coach added. "It was both or both." 

 

Ruiz believes both meets are a priority, and his runners don't see one as bigger than the other. Although they've enjoyed success in their past journeys to NXR and NXN, there is an understanding of the impact state championships have on their schoolmates, relatives and supporters.

"To those that don't fully understand the sport there is certainly a simplicity to the importance of a high school state championship," he explained. "That being said, our options are all on the table but more than likely we will run our strongest and most healthy team at both races. We will also take a look at how the weather plays out and its effect on the athletes' recovery."

 

There isn't just racing strategy involved, but travel logistics as well. The Wolverines will be traveling to Tallahassee, racing midday Friday, then eating lunch and driving over to Jacksonville. From there they will jump on a flight to Charlotte, then another to Raleigh, to arrive late Friday night.

"At Belen we have always embraced a culture of racing," Ruiz noted. "For years we have traveled all over the place to race, oftentimes maxing out allowed race counts. We like to race and the guys are looking forward to racing three times in a span of less than 10 days. Why else train so much and so hard if you are only going to race sparingly?"

In the days leading up to both races, the team has done confidence-building exercises and structured workouts close together to cement the notion that the team is fit enough to handle two highly competitive races within 48 hours.

"The guys have been talking through all the details and the required mindsets since we learned of the challenge in early summer," he said." As a coach I am going to continue to stress that it's in no way an excuse not to perform well. Instead, we should embrace the challenge."

It's a welcome challenge for team, which will compete as Miami Havana at the Nike regional meet. The team returns five of its top seven runners from a 2022 squad that finished as the NXR Southeast Regional runner-up and placed 16th at NXN in Portland.